A syndicate of drug-dealing footballers have collectively bagged double figure sentences each.
Six semi-professional footballers have been sentenced to a combined 104 years in prison for their involvement in a ₦468 billion (£260 million) cocaine distribution network operating across Britain.
According to a report from Daily Mail, the initial crack in the syndicate came when one Luke Skeete, 26, was apprehended by authorities while driving a small panel van containing 8kg of Class A drugs.
A video recovered from a car involved in a deal showed Skeete, from West Drayton in West London, parking up in his white van and passing over a holdall of drugs.
The footage showed Skeete smiling as he put on gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints while being recorded in high definition from the camera on the car’s wing.
Officers arrested Skeete and a further 123kg of cocaine and 224kg of ketamine was recovered from storage units he controlled in Acton and Chiswick, West London.
Daily Mail‘s comprehensive report detailed the unraveling of Skeete’s criminal enterprise, exposing the sophisticated nature of the operation which relied on meticulous planning and covert communication.
Isleworth Crown court delivers verdict as six semi-pro footballers sentenced to 104 years in jail
Via the aforementioned outlet, the sentencing, handed down at Isleworth Crown Court, saw Adam Pepara receive the longest term of 24 years.
Pepara plays for Enfield Town F.C, followed by Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick with 18 years and nine months – Shaquille reportedly plays for Chesham United.
Meanwhile, FK Senica’s Jamarl Joseph was sentenced to 17 years and six months.
Andrew Harewood of Harrow Borough F.C was sentenced to 16 years and one month, while Margate FC’s Melchi Emanuel-Williamson and Luke Skeete received 14 years and 13 years and one month respectively, adding to Skeete’s prior conviction.
Skeete had previously been jailed for 15 years at the same court in July last year.
According to the report, Police confirmed all of the individuals in question were located, arrested, charged and remanded in custody.
Detectives say they spent ‘countless hours’ examining CCTV which showed the gang arriving and exiting the storage unit with drugs concealed in holdalls and boxes.
And police eventually determined that the gang had all conspired between April and October 2022 to supply more than 2.7 tonnes of high grade cocaine with an estimated street value of ₦374-₦468 million (£208million to £260million).
